Details
Japanese washi paper, beeswax and beans on a solid wooden block
H. 18 x W. 18 x D. 18 cm
About Vivienne Schadinsky
"I am an artist and art educator based in London UK, my practice centres on environmental storytelling. Through ink painting (sumi-e), paper sculptures, and filmmaking, I tell stories of ecosystems, plants adapting to climate change, and the restorative elements of soil, water, air, and fire."
"Through daily observation within the 72 Japanese micro-seasons(1), and in-depth research, I create conversation starters that nurture a closer sense of belonging, that humans recognise that we are part of nature, not separated. Inspired by an urgent optimism, my long-term and ongoing projects act as gentle catalysts, opening space for reflection about biodiversity loss — particularly of food plants: those that are endangered and those crucial to future food security (2).
To accurately convey these issues, I receive information directly from my advisory board. Its members include a senior research leader from Kew Gardens’ Millennium Seed Bank in Wakehurst, the head of tree collections at Kew Gardens, a Natural History Museum collections curator, a professor and honorary senior researcher in the Department of Agriculture and Environment at the University of Western Australia, an ethicist from the University of Oxford, and an advisor on sustainable investment, governance, and sustainability — the Network Ambassador for Japan at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership — all of whom support efforts to promote future food security and human values.
I seek to normalise this dialogue and my work invites small acts of re-engagement — moments of attention, curiosity, and discovery that resist the digital rush, within this intertwined web. My quest is to evoke an emotional and visceral response that encourages collective thought and conversation, to guide us away from our current narrow, human-centric view — something that data and statistics often fail to do. This quest is also aligned with supporting wellbeing by evoking emotions of serenity and the appreciation of beauty and joy.
Influenced by a childhood spent close to nature in Switzerland, my practice today integrates sustainability, collaboration, and respect for craft. Each material I use is natural and sourced from the makers themselves — paper, ink and brushes.
Having won the Cultural Award for one of my Soy Bean painting with the International Sumi Association in Tokyo (2025) and exhibiting internationally, I continue to explore how art can inspire cross-cultural dialogue toward healthy environments. I am a passionate arts educator and teach art classes, develop sustainable art syllabuses for 6-11 and 11-16 year olds, run ink workshops and give talks about; Creativity, Responsibility & Hope in the Climate Crisis or Vanishing Food Plants, in a variety of settings, such as Omved Gardens and the Open House Festival (London) and the International Women’s day.
The words of Sir David Attenborough strongly resonate with my own belief in the importance of knowledge and action: 'There are huge opportunities on getting things right, the only way to operate is to believe we can do something about it, and I truly think we can’ ."
1. Japan celebrates 72 different micro-seasons : there are 24 major divisions; of which each is split into three, starting early in February (Spring). Each micro-season lasts for around five days.
2. Based on the 1996 World Food Summit, food security is defined when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life / https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/agriculture/brief/food-security-update/what-is-food- security#:~:text=Based%20on%20the%201996%20World,an%20active%20and%20healthy%20life. (23.03.23)
3. https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/the-climate-crisis-towards-zero-carbon (23.03.23)
Delivery Options
Delivery to Mainland UK within 7 days.
International delivery available, 2-3 week lead time.
Returns
If for any reason you are not happy with your purchase, we offer a full refund for any returns within 14 days from delivery.